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Do the Right Thing (1989)

Directed by: Spike Lee

Starring: Spike Lee, Giancario Esposito, John Tuturro, Danny Aiello, Samuel L Jackson

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 h

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Most Themes, Characters, Acting, Writing, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Some Themes

Do the Right Thing (1989)

November 15, 2019

Set on the hottest day of the year in Brooklyn. A snapshot of a neighborhood dealing with racial tensions. 

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In Crime, Comedy, Drama Tags Spike Lee, Giancario Esposito, John Tuturro, Danny Aiello, Samuel L Jackson, R, 4.5 Stars
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Piercing (2018)

Directed by: Nicolas Pesce

Starring: Christopher Abbott, Mia Wasikowska, Laia Costa

Rated: R for Aberrant Violent and Sexual Content, Nudity, and Language

Running Time: 1 h 21 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Creativity, Acting

WEAKNESSES: More Style than Substance, Minor Deux Ex Machina

Piercing (2018)

November 14, 2019

A man with a growing inclination towards violence decides to murder a prostitute to get it out of his system. 

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In Crime, Drama, Comedy, Horror, Noir, Romance, Thriller Tags Christopher Abbott, Mia Wasikowska, Laia Costa, Nicolas Pesce, R, 3.5 Stars
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Parasite (2019)

Directed By: Bong Joon-ho

Starring: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Jo Yeo-jeong

Rated: R

Run Time: 2h 12m

TMM Score: 4 Stars

Strengths: Humor, Characters, Plot, Cinematography

Weakness: NA

Parasite (2019)

November 13, 2019

A family of unemployed con-artists and thieves find the perfect mark in a trusting and unsuspecting wealthy woman and her family whose casual indifference create unexpected and violent problems.

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In Art House, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Foreign Film, Horror, Political, Thriller Tags Michael McDonald, 4 Stars, R Rated, Kang-ho Song, Sun-kyun Lee, Yeo-jeong Jo, Joon-ho Bong, Parasite, 2019
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The Pianist (2002)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay

Rated: R for Violence and Brief Strong Language

Running Time: 2 h 30 m

TMM Score: 4 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Acting, Production Design

WEAKNESSES: Pacing During Second Act

The Pianist (2002)

November 11, 2019

A Polish Jewish pianist struggles to survive during the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto during World War II.

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In Drama, Crime, Thriller, War Tags Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Adrien Brody, 2002, Roman Polanski, 4 Stars
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Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998)

Directed by: Steve Miner

Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, Michelle Williams, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Janet Leigh, LL Cool J, Nancy Stephens

Rated: R for Terror Violence/ Gore and Language

Running Time: 1 h 26 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Fun, Atmosphere, Some Kills

WEAKNESSES: It’s More of the Same, Farfetched Logic, Lack of Loomis

Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998)

October 31, 2019

Twenty years after Michael Myers terrorized Laurie Strode, he returns to do it again.

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In Action, Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller Tags Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, Michelle Williams, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Janet Leigh, LL Cool J, Nancy Stephens, Steve Miner, 1998, 3 Stars, R
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Halloween (1978)

Directed by: John Carpenter

Starring: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes, P.J. Soles, Tony Moran

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Writing, Atmosphere, Soundtrack

WEAKNESSES: Small Details

Halloween (1978)

October 31, 2019

A psychotic mental patient who has been imprisoned for fifteen years after the brutal murder of his sister escapes confinement and returns to his hometown to kill again. 

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In Horror, Crime, Thriller Tags Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes, P.J. Soles, Tony Moran, John Carpenter, 1978, R, 4.5 Stars
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Halloween VI: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

Directed by: Joe Chapelle

Starring: Donald Pleasence, Paul Rudd, Marianne Hagan

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 27 m

TMM Score: 1 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Two Cool Kills

WEAKNESSES: Everything Else

Halloween VI: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

October 31, 2019

Jamie Lloyd is once again stalked by Michael Myer, but this time, a mysterious cult also joins the hunt. 

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In Action, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags 1 Star, Joe Chapelle, Donald Pleasence, Paul Rudd, Marianne Hagan, R, 1995
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Halloween II (1981)

Directed by: Rick Rosenthal

Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Charles Cyphers

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 32 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Fun, Some Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: A Bit Over the Top

Halloween II (1981)

October 31, 2019

Immediately following the events of the first “Halloween.” Dr. Loomis and his colleague search for Michael Meyers, while Laurie Strode is rushed to the hospital.

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In Action, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Charles Cyphers, Rick Rosenthal, 1981, 3 Stars
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The Exorcist III: Legion (1990)

Directed by: William Peter Blatty

Starring: George C. Scott, Brad Dourif, Ed Flanders, Jason Miller

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 50 m

TMM Score: 3.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Brad Dourif, Story, Writing

WEAKNESSES: Some Heavy-Handedness, Some Acting

The Exorcist III: Legion (1990)

October 30, 2019

A police lieutenant finds a series of murders are linked to a murders done by a famous serial killer more than fifteen years ago.

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags William Peter Blatty, R, George C. Scott, Brad Dourif, Ed Flanders, 1990, 3 Stars
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The Lighthouse (2019)

Directed by: Robert Eggers

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe

Rated: R for Sexual Content, Nudity, Violence, Disturbing Images and Some Language

Running Time: 1 h 49 m

TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Directing, Writing, Themes, Acting, Cinematography

WEAKNESSES: -

The Lighthouse (2019)

October 29, 2019

Two wickies on a post far out at sea begin to experience unusual phenomena.

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In Adventure, Art House, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe, Robert Eggers, 2019
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Ju-On The Grudge (2002)

Directed by: Takashi Shimizu

Starring: Megumi Okina, Misaki Ito, Misa Uehara

Rated: R for Some Disturbing Images

Running Time: 1 h 32 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Creepy Images and Atmosphere

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Some Special Effects

Ju-On The Grudge (2002)

October 28, 2019

A social assistant discovers a vengeful spirit waiting at the house where she is assigned.  

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In Drama, Crime, Foreign Film, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Takashi Shimizu, Megumi Okina, Misaki Ito, Misa Uehara, R
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Jason X (2001)

Directed by: James Isaac

Starring: Kane Hodder, Lexa Doig, David Cronenberg, Jeff Geddis

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: It’s Incredibly Funny, Some Cool/Creative Kills

WEAKNESSES: Almost Everything

Jason X (2001)

October 25, 2019

Jason Voorhees is frozen in carbonite for four hundred years until he’s brought back on a space ship.  

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In Action, Crime, Horror, Sci Fi, Thriller Tags James Isaac, Kane Hodder, Lexa Doig, David Cronenberg, Jeff Geddis, 2001, R, 2 Stars
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A Nightmare on Elm Street V: The Dream Child (1989)

Directed by: Stephen Hopkins

Starring: Robert Englund, Lisa Wilcox, Whit Herford

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 29 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Dream Sequences, Freddy’s Return

WEAKNESSES: Climax, Doesn’t Work as a Standalone

A Nightmare on Elm Street V: The Dream Child (1989)

October 25, 2019

Alice, the powerful dream warrior, finds herself beset by the nightmares of her unborn infant child. 

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In Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror Tags 1989, Robert Englund, Lisa Wilcox, Whit Herford, R, 3 Star
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Freddy vs Jason (2003)

Directed by: Ronny Yu

Starring: Robert Englund, Ken Kirzinger, Paula Shawn, Kelly Rowland, Jason Ritter

Rated: R for Pervasive Strong Horror Violence/Gore, Gruesome Images, Sexuality, Drug Use and Language

Running Time: 1 h 37 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: It’s Kinda Funny

WEAKNESSES: Writing, Directing, Story, Acting

Freddy vs Jason (2003)

October 25, 2019

Freddy Krueger tricks Jason Voorhees into killing a slew of teenagers for his own personal reasons, but when Jason finds out he’s been duped, he turns his machete towards the gloved-killer.

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In Action, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller Tags Robert Englund, Ken Kirzinger, Paula Shawn, Kelly Rowland, Jason Ritter, Ronny Yu, 2003, Freddy vs Jason, R
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A Nightmare on Elm Street IV: The Dream Master (1988)

Directed by: Renny Harlin

Starring: Robert Englund, Tuesday Knight, Lisa Wilcox

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 33 m

TMM Score: 2.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Overall Franchise Progression, Dream Sequences

WEAKNESSES: Freddy’s Return, Doesn’t Stand on Its Own, More Covered in Spoiler Section

A Nightmare on Elm Street IV: The Dream Master (1988)

October 25, 2019

After the defeat of Freddy Krueger at the hands of the Dream Warriors, Freddy somehow returns to haunt the dreams of a girl named Alice, whom is a particularly strong dreamer. 

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In Comedy, Crime, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller Tags Renny Harlin, 1988, Robert Englund, Tuesday Knight, Lisa Wilcox, R, 2.5 Stars
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Friday the 13th (2009)

Directed by: Marcus Nispel

Starring: Jared Padelecki, Danielle Panabaker, Amanda Righetti

Rated: R for Strong Bloody Violence, Some Graphic Sexual Content, Language and Drug Material

Running Time: 1 h 46 m

TMM Score: 0.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Absolutely Nothing

WEAKNESSES: Misogynistic and Unlikable Characters, Stupid Plot Progression, Acting

Friday the 13th (2009)

October 25, 2019

A group of stupid people are attacked by a redneck in a hockey mask. 

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In Action, Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Jared Padelecki, Danielle Panabaker, Amanda Righetti, Marcus Nispel, 2009, R, 0.5 Stars
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A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Directed by: Wes Craven

Starring: Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Johnny Depp, Ronee Blakley

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 h 31 m

TMM Score: 4.5 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Atmosphere, Story, World Building, Characters, Creativity

WEAKNESSES: Schmaltzy Moments

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

October 25, 2019

A slain child murderer returns to haunt the dreams of the children whose parents killed him. 

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In Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Wes Craven, 1984, R, 4.5 Stars, Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Johnny Depp, Ronee Blakley
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The Dark Half (1993)

Directed by: George A Romero

Starring: Timothy Hutton, Amy Madigan, Michael Rooker

Rated: R for Violence and Language

Running Time: 2 h 2 m

TMM Score: 2 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Concept

WEAKNESSES: General Execution

The Dark Half (1993)

October 21, 2019

After a writer kills off his pseudonym the pseudonym manifests and terrorizes the writer and his family.  

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags George A Romero, Timothy Hutton, Amy Madigan, Michael Rooker, R, 2 Stars
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Thinner (1996)

Directed by: Tom Holland

Starring: Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Bethany Joy Lenz, Lucinda Jenney, Stephen King

Rated: R for Horror Violence and Gore, Language and Sexuality

Running Time: 1 h 33 m

TMM Score: 1 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Some Makeup

WEAKNESSES: Anemic Story, Unlikeable Characters, Boring

Thinner (1996)

October 20, 2019

A fat lawyer begins rapidly loosing weight after gypsies curse him. 

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In Crime, Drama, Horror, Fantasy Tags Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Bethany Joy Lenz, Lucinda Jenney, Stephen King, Tom Holland, 1 Star, 1996
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The Ninth Gate (1999)

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, Emmanuelle Seigner

Rated: R for Some Violence and Sexuality

Running Time: 2 h 13 m

TMM Score: 3 stars out of 5

STRENGTHS: Story, Directing

WEAKNESSES: Pacing, Tone

The Ninth Gate (1999)

October 19, 2019

A rare books dealer is drawn into a conspiracy with supernatural overtones after accepting a new job offer from a mysterious and wealthy patron. 

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In Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Tags Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, Emmanuelle Seigner, Roman Polanski, 1999, 3 Stars
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